Prep yourself for an emotional back and forth chapter. Ready?...here we go.
The Next Day
***Compound Grounds***
Construction and cleanup crews were on the grounds, cranes and bulldozers clearing away the debris little by little.
A few yards away from the wreckage that was once the Avengers Compound was the testing site for a new, smaller version of the Quantum Time Machine.
A smaller platform stood in front of a control board. Bruce, with his arm now in a cast, stood behind it and made sure everything was ready.
A few skips away, standing by a lake was Jamie. Eyes closed and listening to the sounds around him. Aside from the noise of the cleanup crew at the Compound, the young Captain could heard birds chirping and the wind blowing by.
"Peaceful, right?" a voice next to him said.
Jamie opened his eyes and saw Bucky standing there with his hands in his pockets.
"Yeah. I can see why you like it so much. You did this a lot in Wakanda?"
Bucky nodded. "Everyday."
The young redhead smiled at that taking in the view once more.
Doing the same, Bucky did something... new, and something he didn't think he ever would after becoming the Winter Soldier; he wrapped his arm around Jamie's shoulder and held him like a proud uncle.
This surprised Jamie but he leaned into it happily and enjoyed it. Bucky smiled at this, glad and relieved that Jamie was comfortable with this.
"Alright, we're ready to go!" Bruce called out to them.
Turning back, they walked over to the controls where Bruce stood, along with Steve, Natasha, and Sam.
Once there, Bruce set down a case and opened it to reveal the Stones inside.
"Now remember what Maddie said," He reminded Jamie, who was now back in his Quantum suit, "you gotta return the Stones back to the exact time they left, or else you're gonna open up some pretty nasty alternate realities."
Per his friend's promise, Jamie agreed to go on one last Quantum mission to return the Stones. Maddie would have been there to help, but he was busy elsewhere with more...important matters.
So now, Jamie was going to do it.
"Don't worry, Bruce," the young Captain said, closing the case. "I'll get it done."
Bruce nodded, not doubting his young "nephew" would get the job done. As he did, his mind drifted off to his "niece", Nikki. A tinge of regret came to him...one he wouldn't be able to shake for a bit. "I'm sorry about Nikki, man. I...I tried to bring her back, with the Stones...I'm sorry. I miss her a lot."
Jamie felt tears coming up and nodded at Bruce's words. He knew they were true. And it seemingly had worked...for a little. She had come back, but not to stay. Only to help them finish the job. Then, she was gone...
It hurt Jamie to have to tell his parents about what happened to her, especially when his mother broke down in tears. Though they understood the why, it didn't lessen the pain any...for any of them.
"Well, she loved you, uncle," Jamie replied, sniffling, "And she and I both knew you did your best, like always."
Though that was somewhat reassuring, a tear still fell from Bruce's eye. He nodded as he wiped it away before thanking his nephew.
"You know, I could go with you if you want." Steve said, stepping up next to his son.
"Thanks, Dad," he replied with a chuckle, "I'd appreciate it too...but, this one's on me. I've gotta do it alone."
Though he didn't really understand the whole process of this, Steve understood what Jamie meant. It wasn't long after he had been dubbed "Captain America" that he was moved to go on a rescue mission on his own despite the doubts and warnings of others.
With that, he held out his hand and Jamie took it and shook it before pulling him in for a hug.
Natasha, Sam, and Bucky watched with contentment at this scene. Especially Nat. She was happy right here in this moment to see her husband and her now teenage son together. Granted, she would have loved to have both of her children here, with Nikki under her arm...but this was better than nothing.
Finally, the two Rogers' broke the hug and Jamie looked to the rest of them.
"Now I know you guys are happy to be back, but try not to do anything stupid 'til I get back." He joked to his family.
That made them all laugh. That was the same thing Steve and Bucky exchanged before they parted as kids and as they grew up.
"How can we?" Steve replied with a smile.
"Yeah, you're taking all the stupid with you." Bucky added.
Jamie laughed back before hugging all of them in a group hug, and they all hugged him back. It felt so good for Steve and Nat to hold their son again. Only this time, he was fully grown. Not a little baby anymore. And to see him taking the lead as he did with Peter and the other kids, showed them that he really was just like his father. Not just a great leader, but a good man.
Bruce smiled at them, happy to see family reunited.
When they pulled apart, Jamie saw his mother's face and saw worry. The worry of a mother, but masked by a tearful smile. Feeling this, Jamie took her hands in his and comforted her. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be okay."
Nat nodded and sniffed at her son's words. She had no doubt he could take care of himself, but it was the pride in him and how he'd grown that caused her tears...and a side of worry. "You better. And be careful too."
"Yes, ma'am."
The mother and son shared one last tight hug with Natasha dramatically squeezing Jamie, making him laugh along with her. Finally, she kissed Jamie's head before letting him go.
With that, they broke the hug and Jamie picked up the case with the stones, took Loki's Scepter which had a rope tied on it like a shoulder strap, slung it over his shoulder and walked up the platform. As he did, he picked up Mjolnir which sat there right-side up.
Natasha shook her and chuckled at the sight of her son picking up that hammer. Steve too. It took them both back to that time when they were all back in New York at Avengers Tower. They'd just retrieved Loki's Scepter and were having a victory party. But it was after all the guests had left that the team had some fun of their own.
They'd begun to talk and wonder about the truth behind Thor's hammer and why he was the only one who could lift it. It got so interesting to the point where they decided to compete and see who among them could lift it.
Tony was cocky of course, couldn't lift it. Neither could Clint, Rhodey, nor Bruce or Sam. But Steve? Steve had made it move just a little. Or maybe he was faking it to spare Thor's feelings, being the good man he was. Sure enough though, he was worthy of it. And apparently, their son was too. That brought a smile to Natasha, her two favorite men. Her husband/partner and her son.
She, along with Steve, Sam, Bucky and Bruce, watched as Jamie closed his eyes and let out a nervous breath. Finally opening them and looking down to them, the young Captain nodded and smiled at them, to which they all smiled. The four men nodded to him proudly while his mother waved goodbye to him.
He waved back to her, knowing he'd definitely miss her for however long he'd be gone. But he'd be back.
Giving a thumbs up to Bruce, Jamie was ready.
"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked Bruce.
"For him, as long as he needs. For us, about five seconds. Alright, Jamie. We'll meet you back here."
"Be right back," he said as his helmet came up.
"Going quantum in...three...two...one!"
The quantum panels on the machine lit up and within a flash, Jamie was gone.
Bruce immediately began setting the controls to bring Jamie back. Meanwhile, Steve and Nat were anxious. Especially Nat as she held her husband's hand with a firm grip.
"Okay," Bruce flipped a few switches, ready for the return, "returning in five... four..."
The panels powered up again, opening the gateway to the Quantum Realm.
"...three...two...one!"
Aaaand...nothing. Nothing happened. No quantum energy pulse, no Jamie. Nothing happened.
Bruce furrowed his brow at this. What the heck was this? He checked his monitor to see what happened, if there was something he missed or if something went wrong.
"What happened?" "Where is he?" Steve and Nat asked him.
"I don't know," Bruce replied, getting worried himself, "he blew right past his time stamp. He should be here."
"Well get him back!" Sam exclaimed.
"Bruce, come on!" Steve fired right after him.
"I'm trying!" Bruce shot back, frantically checking and flipping controls.
"Where the hell's my son, Bruce!?" Nat hissed at him, ready to pounce.
"I DON'T KNOW! I'M WORKING ON IT!"
While Bruce did his best to try and fix the problem, along with Steve, Natasha, and Sam scolding him to bring Jamie back, Bucky stayed silent and calm. Feeling the need to, he turned and looked over towards the woods behind them. When he did, a closed lipped smile came to him from what he saw.
"Steve, Natasha?" He called to his friends.
Hearing the super soldier, they all stopped and looked at him and saw his back to them, but then they saw him nod his head towards the woods. When they looked past him to the trees, their breath was taken away by what they saw. Or rather, who they saw.
Emerging from the trees was Jamie. He'd made it back safely! What a relief! But he wasn't alone.
Walking with him towards them was none other than his sister, Nikki.
And just like her parents had on faces of surprise, so she too had one on hers. Just seeing her parents standing there took her breath away and she froze, worried that if she went any closer, they'd fade away...just like in her nightmares. But a hand on her shoulder made her look to her brother who gave her a comforting smile and a nod. With that reassurance from Jamie, and a large exhale, Nikki slowly began to walk over to her parents.
As she did, Natasha had stepped forward a little ahead of Steve. The closer the two drew to one another, the more the emotions within them began to stir.
Finally, they were right in front of each other, only an arm's length away.
"...Nikki?" Nat whispered.
The blonde girl giggled tearfully at the sound of her mother saying her name. A sound she had missed dearly.
"Privet, mama." She replied in Russian. She instantly ran into her mother's arms, to which Nat hugged her back and squeezed her daughter tightly.
"O, moyadevochka!" She cried into Nikki's head, matching the tears that the younger blonde was shedding against her mother's chest. "Moyamalen'kaya, Nika."
The tears came profusely at the sound of her mother calling her Russian name, just as she had when she was a baby to a toddler. "Oh, Mom...I've missed you so much!"
"Shhhh-shh-shh-shhhh. It's ok, sweetie. I'm here now." Natasha halfway broke the hug to look at her and cupped her face with caring hands. Nikki looked into the eyes of her mother and was convinced even more so that this was real, SHE was real. "I'm here, Nikki. And I promise you, I'm never leaving you again. EVER."
Nikki knew he mother was telling the truth, but she still wanted to hear it. "Promise?"
"Promise." Another voice behind Natasha replied for her. Looking behind her mother, Nikki gazed upon the tall blond man that was her father.
"Daddy!" Natasha reluctantly, but happily let Nikki go so she could jump up into her father's arms. She latched onto his neck and cried into his shoulder as he hugged her back, holding her up from the ground. "Daddy!"
"Hey, baby girl." He cooed to her, holding her as tight as she held him.
"I missed you so much!" She said into his neck as she cried.
"I know...I know. I missed you too, Nikki." Steve said, his voice cracking from the mixture if elation and relief within him. "And I'm sorry...I'm sorry we weren't here for you."
"It's okay. We weren't alone...we had a lot of help."
Speaking of said help, Nikki saw walking up to them a certain Green Avenger. "Uncle Bruce!"
Steve let his daughter down and she ran and jumped into Bruce large arms, or arm rather, and he spun around, his Hulky arm holding Nikki to him tight as her arms held tight around his neck.
"You're alright! Oh thank God. Thank God!" Bruce cried out, literally crying in joy, tears coming down hard as he held Nikki close to him. "I missed you, Nikki! I was so scared I'd never see you again."
"Me too..." Nikki sniffled, "but I'm here now...thank you for helping me get here."
Bruce loosened up a little so Nikki could lean back and look at him. "My pleasure, sweetie."
When they broke it up and Bruce let her down, there was Jamie. Arms folded and a smirk on his face.
Rolling her eyes at this, she decided to bite. "What?"
"Told you it'd be quite a surprise, didn't I?" Her brother asked, still holding that smirk.
Unable to argue, Nikki huffed laugh and nodded. "Yeah, and you were right."
"Happy?"
"Definitely. Not gonna lie, I was a little worried at first, but, I'm just glad you're here. You, Mom, Dad, Uncle Bruce," she looked around them and saw two more familiar faces walking up to them with their parents. "And Uncle Sam and Uncle Bucky!"
"Hey, sweetie," "Hey" the two men replied with smiles.
She hugged them and they hugged back, feeling the love from her through their embrace.
Steve and Nat watched with joyful tears and joyous hearts. As did Jamie who felt not only was his mission accomplished, but his day had gotten a whole lot better. The same for everyone else too.
And so, the Rogers-Romanoff Family was finally reunited. After so many years apart, or only a few seconds for the grownups, they were now whole again. Steve, Natasha, Jamie, and Nikki...and "Uncle Sam and Uncle Bucky". And Bruce too, watching them.
As to how Nikki was back or what all happened with Jamie on his quest to return the Stones, well, that's a story for another time.
For right now, they were happy in this moment.
They were a family once again.
(Fade To Black)
Peter's Voice: "Everyone wants a happy ending, right?...but sadly, it doesn't always end that way.
***Barton Farmhouse, Missouri***
The Quinjet flew over the house before landing over in the fields.
As it did, a young girl walked out of house and watched the craft go down. It was Lilah! She smiled as she immediately recognized it as the Avengers Quinjet, and ran to the field to it.
The ramp door to the craft came down and down came Clint and Frankie Barton, and Kate Bishop.
Lilah hugged her dad and her brother, before moving to hug Kate. Then Laura had come out and was surprised to see her boy, Frankie all grown up.
She wasted no time pulling him to hug him, holding him close. As he hugged her back, Frankie felt like a kid again.
"Welcome home, Frankie," she whispered to him.
"Good to be home, Ma." He replied.
As she held him, Frankie felt as if he was whole again. The part of him that was missing, which had been somewhat replaced by getting to know the Next Avengers, was now strengthened by being back here, with his family.
Clint came up behind them and engulfed them both in a big hug, earning laugh from them. Lilah and Kate joined in, as did Cooper and Nate too!
***Airport | Brazil***
Hundreds of people scrambled through the airport. Not just to catch a plane. No, they were awaiting the arrivals of their family members returning from the Snap.
A certain latino man in his late 40s waited and pushed through the emotional crowd. People hugging, crying and holding their loved ones.
It was so hectic, you almost couldn't take a breath.
["But who knows? Maybe this time...we'll get it right."]
Soon, he saw a young latina walk out of a terminal with a backpack. There was something...familiar about her.
But when she saw him, she recognized him immediately. She dropped her bag and ran up to him, crying out, "Papa!"
And then it hit him..."Ava?"
She came up and jumped at him and he hugged her back in shock, glee, and joy. Here was his little Ava...well, not so little anymore.
***Doreen's House, New Jersey***
Kamala and Doreen both sat on the porch, waiting for Doreen's mother to return.
She soon rolled around and the car stopped in front of the house.
The rear doors opened and out stepped Kamala's parents! She jumped off the porch and ran right into their arms.
Doreen and her mother watched in shared joy at this reunion.
***Wakanda, Palace***
Fireworks lit up the sky as King T'Challa, along with the Queen Mother, Ramonda, Nakia, Princess Shuri, and Azari, watched over the city of Wakanda.
The streets were filled with lights and celebration.
["I hope that, if you play this back, it means that we did it. I hope we won, that families are reunited, and that everything has gone back to normal."]
As they watched, the family huddled together in a hug, at peace and content.
["Or whatever passes for normal these days. Haha."]
***U-GIN Genetic Research Facility | Seoul, South Korea***
Maddie walked off the ramp of the Quinjet and towards the facility. As he did, he could see his mother, Dr. Helen Cho, waiting for him.
She stood there with tears of joy at the sight of her now grownup son. Maddie dropped his bag and the two ran to each other and embraced on impact.
After a moment, Helen pulled back to look at her son's face, cupping his cheek. He was all grown up.
["It's crazy, though. If you'd have told me years ago, before the Battle of New York, that superheroes would become big and walk among us, well I-I probably would've believed you. But to THIS extent! Come on, it's amazing!]
***Massachusetts***
A car, driven by Happy Hogan, pulled up to the Williams Residence.
The front door of the house opened up and out walked Ronnie Williams and a man beside her. They both looked to the car with anticipation and joyful tears.
That joy only increased when they saw none other than Riri Williams step out of the car. When she caught sight of the two on the porch, her heart skipped a beat and she became tearful.
"MOM! DADDY!" She cried out running up to them and jumping into their arms.
From the car, Happy watched with a teary smile.
[It's amazing! It's, it's really something.]
***London, Park***
Jane sat on a bench, then stood from it and began pacing back and forth.
She had gotten a call from Darcy and was told to meet her here.
And a few yards away stood a young blonde girl who watched her pace. Darcy was next to her.
Soon, Jane caught sight of them and immediately recognized Darcy. But the girl next to her...no, it couldn't be...could it?
Did she dare call her? Was it really who she thought it might be? "Torunn?"
Torunn, already teary-eyed, smiled and ran towards her. "Mom!" She cried out.
Hearing that, Jane too began to run. With each step, the more her heart sped and the more her tears began to rise. "Torunn!"
The two soon met in the middle and engulfed each other in a strong embrace, sobs and tears.
"Oh, Mom!" Torunn wept happily. "You're alive!"
"And you're...all grown up!" Jane replied, shocked at her daughter's new look. A teenager, basically a young woman before her.
Darcy came up, beanie on and hands in coat pocket. "Hey, girl!" She said, voice cracking a little.
"Oh, Darcy!" Jane pulled her into the group hug and all three women held on tight.
That is until... "Darcy?"
The bespectacled woman looked over her shoulder and her jaw dropped and her heart stopped. It was-
"IAN!" She took off running to her smiling boyfriend, who had his arms open wide ready to hug her.
But she didn't slow down and tackled him into the snowy ground, now she could hug him.
Rather than being hurt or upset at her, Ian laughed at having been slammed down by his girlfriend. "Miss me much?"
"Tons, babe." She said before planting a big one on his lips.
He smiled into it and pulled her in closer.
Torunn and Jane watched I laughter at the two. But the sound of something landing behind them made them turn to see the God Of Thunder himself standing there.
[To have grown up in a world-, well universe, really! Filled with people who used their powers to keep us safe, that means something...]
Jane froze as she saw Thor, but he smiled and walked up to her and pulled her in for a kiss...and she didn't stop him.
***Lang House***
On the steps of the porch, Scott, Hope, Cassie, and PJ all sat together and watched the fireworks in the sky. They were so happy to be back together, they were all holding hands...like a family again.
***Tennessee, Keener Home***
Harley walked up to the door of his house and pulled out his key to unlock it.
But before he could get it, the door opened and there stood his mother.
The shock of seeing her made him drop his keys and his duffle bag. His mother on the other hand, immediately embraced him and cried as she did.
Harley hugged her back and held his mother in glee, not ashamed of his tears.
She soon brought him in and he was reunited with Sarah and his other little sister.
["Their acts, the help they gave, that's what inspired me. Us! This team! That's the reason why we're here. I just hope that we can do that same thing to ones like Morgan who are growing up in the world..."]
***Arizona***
Within the living room of a certain suburban home, a woman, her daughter, and her son were in a love filled group hug. Truthfully, the woman and the daughter were hugging the son.
The woman's name was Eva Alexander. The girl was her daughter, Kaelynn. And the boy was Sam.
They all held each other, never wanting to let go.
***Stark Cabin***
The sun was high in the sky, a little past 12:00.
Inside, on a table, lay Peter's Iron Spider helmet. One of the lenses was lit up, projecting a prerecorded holo-message from it.
"Anyway, I figured I should make a little video message in case something happens to me."
It was Peter, sitting in a chair, talking to whoever was watching...and a lot of people were.
Jamie and Nikki sat next to Morgan and Pepper on a couch while Rhodey sat on the arm of it and Tony sat on the other arm next to pepper. Steve and Natasha were there too, as was Happy, Sam, Bucky, the Guardians, Bruce, Betty, Torunn, Jane, Thor, Darcy and Erik. The Bartons, Kate, Sam, Kamala, the Langs, Hope, Hank and Janet, Stephen Strange, Carol Danvers, Maria Hill, and Nick Fury. There was also Azari, along with his father, mother, Okoye, Shuri. The whole team and their families...and of course, Ava was there too.
Right up front, next to the couch with a chair of her own. And next to her sat Peter's aunt/mother figure, May Parker.
They all watched with misty eyes as the message from Peter continued.
"If nothing happens to me, then thank goodness! But if it does...well...I'm sorry to all my friends and family here... I don't want to die, despite all the bad things that have happened to me that have made me wish it at times, but I really don't want to. But if I do...um..."
The holo-Peter seemed to be struggling to find words. This made everyone watching curios about what he was going to say next. And what they heard, it carried a surprise and some weight to it.
"There's this old movie, Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan."
A light laugh went throughout the room, mostly from Tony, Rhodey, and May, as they knew Peter was one to reference movies on a daily.
"In it, Spock put himself in a deadly situation to help his crew get away safely...but he wasn't able to save himself. He sacrificed himself to save his friends...his family. After that, his final words to them were 'not to worry.' That 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one.'...I think I realize how much those words mean now more than ever. There's always one person who gives himself up for the people he loves, the people he's fighting for. And to him, those people he loves, they're the many...and he's the one. I understand that now..."
And just like that, a sad smile hit everyone's face. Rhodey shook his head in surprise, but also because he understood what Peter was talking about. Leave it to him to make a perfect lesson of a situation through a movie.
Still, the message continued.
"Hopefully it won't come to that, but if it does, know that I'm at peace. And I'm glad for the journey that I've been on with you guys. Meeting all of you, working with you, to the old ones and the new ones. Heheh. The Next Avengers... it's been a great pleasure to be with you guys. Even now if it's the end, I'm glad we did this. And if you think about it, that's really a part of it, being a superhero; part of the journey is the end...so thank you."
Tony huffed a laugh when he heard Peter use his words from a message very similar to this one that he had left for him.
More tears came with the sad smiles at hearing that.
"Well I guess that's all I can say, don't wanna drag it out too long. Heheheh. Last thing I'll say is...May, if it worked and you made it back, I want to say thank you. You have done so much for me and I...I could never thank you enough. You were more than just an aunt to me...you were my mom too. And I'll always love you for that."
May smiled at the projection of her nephew, feeling so much pride for him in this moment. 'Great job...son. My Peter...'
Ava put an arm around her and comforted her and May thanked her for it.
"Mr. Stark, thank you for believing in me. For helping me learn to become...better. You're the man. You're Iron Man, haha!"
A light chuckle spread across the room at hearing that joke. Of course, Tony laughed and said "That's right!", getting more laughter. But it was all in fun and love. It died down and everyone resumed listening.
"But seriously, thank you, sir...Tony."
As if the holo-Peter were looking right at him, Tony nodded and wiped away a tear.
'Anytime, kid.'
"Jamie, Nikki, you two, oh my God thanks! Haha! What can I say about you, you two were the best little brother and sister a guy could have. Thanks for always being there for me, and I'm glad I could be there for you... Hang on to that shield, Jamie. The team's got a great captain...take care of them for me."
'You got it, Pete,' Jamie said to himself, feeling his brother's love from the message.
"Nikki, stay strong. I know it's not easy, but...you'll make it. You always have, you've always been a fighter just like your mom. So don't give up, sis. And thanks for calling me 'spectacular.'"
Nikki sniffled, but held her smile as she heard her brother's message. 'You'll always be the Spectacular Spider-Man to me, bro.'
"I love you guys..." Holo-Peter said to them.
The projection then showed Peter standing from his chair and walking closer.
"Ava..."
Hearing her name made the latina's heart drop. Again, it was as if Peter were there, looking right at her through the projection.
"Keep being the hero I know you are, and don't let what others say crush your tenacious spirit. It's uh, heh, it's one of the main things I love about you..."
With trembling lips, Ava smiled at his message and whispered to herself, "I love you too, Peter."
It hurt a lot, but at least she knew...and he knew too.
"And Morgan?..."
Morgan looked at the projection of her big brother and he looked right at her.
"I love you 3,000, my little Padawan."
Morgan smiled at that, seeing her "master" say her love count back at her.
And then the projection ended.
There was a silence, aside from the sniffles and crying.
What a final message that was...
"That, uh..."
All eyes looked to a now fully healed Peter as he stepped up and picked up the helmet. "That was a lot more emotional than I expected it to be. Hahaha!"
A few laughs came from that across the room.
"No sh**." Sam huffed in laughter.
"Language!" Steve and Jamie said at the same time. Everyone looked to them and laughed at that.
"Oh great. Cap's got a Mini Me." Tony joked as he stood from the couch.
Everyone including Peter laughed at that. And as he did, the young Spider-Man took in all the smiles, the unity, the feeling of being home.
Boy, did it feel good to home...and to be happy.
BOOM! 💥 💥 💥 HAHAHAHAHA! What'd you guys think of THAT twist ending, huh? I got you GOOD didn't I? Come on, you actually thought I would kill of Peter? Spider-Man?! My favorite superhero of all time? Nah, I'm not done with Peter yet. But I did want to use the emotional shock value of it for the story, hehehehe! 😁😁😁
Well aside from being tricked MASSIVELY, what'd you guys think? It's not the END end, but I think it's a nice way to start closing out a book. There one more chapter left and then that's it.(Gotta see how it ends with Peter and the others...especially Ava😉😉😁)
So hold on tight, next chapter will be here soon. Take a breath of relief lol.
See you in the next chapter. 😌👍
